BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Theatre Arts with Foundation Year, a theatre arts degree centred on performance practice, devising, and technical aspects of theatre making. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and offers an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. Teaching takes place at Derby Theatre, providing students with professional environment experience. The first year covers foundational acting, devising, performance analysis, industry practice, and technical theatre through modules such as Performance Practice 1: Acting Skills, Devising 1: The Creative Process, Analysing Performance, Spotlight on Industry Practice, and Technical Theatre and Design. The second year advances collaborative creation, professional practice, applied drama, and public stage performance through modules including Devising 2: Performance Making – Creation and Collaboration, Spotlight on: Research and Professional Practice, Introduction to Applied Drama, and Performance Practice. The final stage centers on independent production, focused practical projects, and employability skills via Independent Production, Devising 3: Independent Project, and Spotlight on: Employability. An additional module covers Placement Learning and Professional Development during the optional placement year.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 55%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 415 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 54%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 2%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- A degree: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Performance Practice 1: Acting Skills
- Devising 1: The Creative Process
- Analysing Performance
- Spotlight on Industry Practice
- Technical Theatre and Design
- Devising 2: Performance Making – Creation and Collaboration
- Spotlight on: Research and Professional Practice
- Introduction to Applied Drama
- Performance Practice
- Independent Production
- Devising 3: Independent Project
- Spotlight on: Employability
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £23,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 110 UCAS points.
Does BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Theatre Arts with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.